Fall Fashion 411 - Fall Trends Series 2012. Part 1

Remember my Fall Trends Series from 2011? Well! That took a lot of work and even though it was so much fun it was also tedious but I found that lots of people actually liked it & it was actually helpful. I already started hunting for new pieces of clothing for this year's trend series but I am not positive if im in it for the long haul. If that is something you would like to see, please let me know! If not, then it's going out the window! Plus, I am a little late on that anyways.

Think of this as a Fall Trend Series extension for 2012. As of the last 2 months or so, I did some damage with new clothes. One of the things I purchased from American Eagle while they were having their $30 jeans sale was a rhapsody colored pair of pants. Since Rhapsody is one of the Fall colors for 2012 on the Pantone color panel, I want to give you ideas on how to wear colored pants in a stylish way. You will be surprised at how many outfits you can make out of 1 pair of colored pants.

This blog post will be, for the most part, my humble opinion on ways to wear different colors and prints together.  In college, I took a fashion history class. Some of the things I learned in that class will be here too. Here are some easy guidelines to follow on ways to put a flattering outfit together in what you might think are surprising ways. I really hope a light bulb will go off in your head and you venture out into mixing colors & prints this season!

Exhibit A

Mixing a Color with a Neutral Print

Quite possibly the easiest one to figure out. Instead of wearing a colored shirt, go with a neutral print to match your colored jeans/pants. I like this because it is trendy without being too loud. You have your bird print (trendy!) with a peter pan collar (also trendy!) in black and cream.

JC Penney's top was $9!

Exhibit B

Mixing colors.

The easiest one in my opinion to feel like it doesn't fit. A basic rule of thumb to use when mixing colors: does it look appealing to you? If so, then your good! If you want more inspiration, here's a couple more tips:

#1. Pantone Color Panel:  
The rule of thumb on any color panel is that every single color on the panel goes with every other color. Click to see Pantone's Fall 2012 Color Panel.

#2. Use the exact same color in different hues 
Monochromatic color scheme 
ex: light purple with bright purple*

#3. Use the exact same hue of different colors  
ex: deep purple with deep orange*

#4. Using a Primary Color Scheme 
Blue, Red and Yellow are the primary colors. All three look good in the same outfit*

#5. Using a Secondary Color Scheme 
Same as primary colors, secondary colors pair great in an outfit. You could use all three: Orange, Green, & Purple.*

#6. Using a Triad Color Scheme 
As easy as it sounds. Look to the color wheel. Which colors make a triangle in the wheel? You notice that both the primary colors and the secondary colors are in a triangle formation on the color wheel. This trick can be used with any colors on the color wheel. 
ex: pink, green, & brown create a triad color scheme.*

#7. Using a Complementary Color Scheme 
Whatever color is right across from your color is complementary of it. 
ex: green and red are complementary.*

#8. Using an Analogous Color Scheme 
Refer to the color wheel. Find your color. Either color next to it make all 3 analogous color. You can also split the color wheel into two parts and think of it as being warm colors (yellow through red) vs. cool colors (purple through green). With analogous color's, they could mix both warm and cool colors as well, overlapping each other. ex: your color is pink. Pink will go perfectly with blue and purple.*

My outfit would fall under the analogous color scheme. Both colors are next to each other on the color wheel. Just because they aren't the same hue or color doesn't mean they don't fit! I think the white undershirt makes the outfit a little brighter, but I also sometimes wear this with a dark purple undershirt. Another great idea would be to go with any blue colored undershirt.

  If your looking to try this out, check out Wet Seal. They have basic tops, & tank tops in all different colors and some cute neutral prints. all 5 for only $20!

Exhibit C

Mixing 2 Colors with Prints

 Step #1. Choose your color. 

Mine is the color Rhapsody in the jeans.

#2. Choose a print: 

The same rule with mixing different colors. Mix different colors with the same hue-or- mix the same color with a different hue, 1 being a solid color and 1 being a print. I am choosing my leopard print scarf and that is a different color with the same muted, soft hue. The color of the scarf is called Rose Smoke, also from the Pantone Color Panel.

#3. Choose another print in the same print

You can omit this if you feel what you have is enough. If not, choosing a second print is as easy as pie. An example of what I mean by another print in the same print is this. Say your print is leopard (as mine is), find another article with a different leopard print on it, as I did with my leopard scarf and undershirt. They are both leopard print but not exact replica's of each other. In my opinion it adds interest without being too tacky

If your going with a second print, be sure not to over do with. I think the scarf going along with the undershirt isn't as loud as a blouse with a scarf, both being prints. It's too much in my opinion. A subtle pop of print here and there is nice. Another cute idea to add your print of choice would be in a leopard bow on a neutral pair of shoes.

#4 Complete the outfit:
I have a Titanium (a grey color) V-neck which completes the outfit. At this point, it's best to find some flattering neutral pieces to complete the outfit. Adding another print or color might not be in good taste so this, to me, is perfect. 

With these "rules", the possibilities seem endless

So, Class!

How have you been mixing it up with your clothing lately?
Whats your favorite outfit in this post?
Whats your least favorite?
Is there anything else you would have done different?

disclaimer: Almost all of these "rules" are my opinion. I am not a professional. I did however take a fashion history class in college and did quite well! Some of these rules are what I learned in the class. They will be marked with an*. Basically, anything you read in exhibit B I learned in college.

Happy Mixing,
Erica